Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04
Ethnography brings you closer to your social world by giving you new insights into cultures communities and organisations. This online course explores qualitative techniques in social science through the practice of ethnography. Skills covered include participant observation, fieldnotes, interviewing and practical learning, while also exploring the ethics of research and analysis. Teaching materials include online video lectures, specially selected readings and a range of supplementary content.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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Ethnography brings you closer to your social world by giving you new insights into cultures, communities and organisations. This bespoke online course explores qualitative techniques in social science through the practice of ethnography. You will gain the core skills of participant observation, taking fieldnotes, interviewing and practical learning, while also exploring the ethics of research and how to analyse information you have discovered. Teaching materials include online video lectures, specially selected readings and a range of supplementary content informed by the diverse experiences of Aberdeen anthropologists. All students will have an online portfolio space to develop their work and communicate with other course participants, while a dedicated course tutor will provide individual guidance and feedback.
The course will allow you to demonstrate your new skills through a series of written reports and assignments. We start with an exercise proposing a ‘dream’ ethnographic project to get students thinking about the scope of ethnography. Three short reports (500 words each) then explore the key themes of the course: an analysis of ethnographic methods in published research; a discussion of the ethics and politics of ethnography; and a report on a practical learning activity introduced in the course. The final essay (1500 words) takes a critical approach to ethnography and begins the process of coming up with your own research project.
By the end of the course you will be able to:
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 55 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 35 | Feedback Weeks | 38 | |
| Feedback |
Critical analysis Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission. |
Word Count | 1500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 29 | Feedback Weeks | 31 | |
| Feedback |
Ethics and Politics. Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission. |
Word Count | 500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 32 | Feedback Weeks | 34 | |
| Feedback |
Reflection on fieldwork activities. Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission. |
Word Count | 500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 27 | Feedback Weeks | 29 | |
| Feedback |
Retrospective analysis of ethnographic methods. Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission. |
Word Count | 500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Formative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 26 | Feedback Weeks | 28 | |
| Feedback |
Propose a 'dream' ethnography. Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission. |
Word Count | 300 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | 41 | Feedback Weeks | 44 | |
| Feedback | Written feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission. | Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse ethnographic data. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Define and describe what ethnography is. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Sustain ethical positions in research. |
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate skills in a range of ethnographic research methods. |
| Reflection | Create | Start designing your own ethnographic research project. |
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